The Nicky Henderson trained eight-year-old went down fighting by just a head to Glen’s Melody, and looked as good as ever ever when showing tremendous battling qualities to win on atrocious ground at Sandown when last seen in action.

Polly Peachum finished 31 lengths in front of Flute Bowl, and that one has since beaten Jennies Jewel at Warwick.

Sandown form looks solid

Jennies Jewel had previously finished a 3 1/2 length runner-up to Vroum Vroum Mag, who is hot favourite for this race, so on that line through that horse Polly Peachum has every chance of beating the Willie Mullins trained favourite.

Polly Peachum, who has won seven of her 15 starts over the obstacles, is also a course winner around Prestbury Park and will appreciate the forecast better ground.

Vroum Vroum Mag has won six chases and two hurdle races since joining Mullins, and is bidding to give the County Carlow handler his eighth consecutive winner of the race.

The seven-year-old was last successful when landing a Grade 2 contest at Sandown from the aforementioned Jennies Jewel.

Although well on top at the finish, the form of the race looks very weak given that the third home Cannon Fodder is also an exposed nine-year-old, who has since finished just third in a class 3 handicap hurdle and is rated 130.

Toughtest task to date for Vroum Vroum

There is little doubt that Vroum Vroum Mag has a big engine and the potential to do much better, but this is by far the toughest task she has ever faced.

Connections have found her soft targets so far in her career, and it remains to be seen how much Vroum Vorum Mag will find when coming under pressure.

Bitofapuzzle finished just a neck behind Polly Peachum when third in the race last year and looks a big player judged on that now switched back to hurdles after a spell chasing, whilst The Govaness and Tara Point both look lively outsiders.